Week 33--Cape Cod, part 1

Our long-anticipated Cape trip arrived.  This was our 'big' family vacation this year.  Calendars are full so we grabbed what we could and were thrilled to all be under one roof, if only for a three nights!  I want all the nights, but am slowly learning to push back my selfish desires and simply enjoy what I am gifted.  

I'm still learning how to be a mom to adult children, how to be a mother-in-law, and how to be a Maymee.  Heck!  I'm still learning how to be a mom!  My instincts are to gather all my little chicks into the nest and keep everyone together.  But I'm learning how to rethink vacations, holidays, and traditions and accept that all my people will not be at everything.

I recently heard a podcast that said, "The MOMENT a couple takes their vows at the altar, their family becomes their extended family."  That helped me shift my thinking so much!  To my married kids, we are simply just the in-laws.  I need to be grateful for what is and not pine for what is not.  

Anyway!!  We had a BEAUTIFUL few days together with great weather, so much laughter, baby snuggles, and family milestones!  I offered all.the.things.- whale watch, ferry to Martha's Vineyard, fishing excursion, etc....but the kids were content and preferred a low-key week of just being together.  Maddy and Mason were in need of rest and Tina commented how nice it was to just have a low-key week.

Sunday, Aug. 11th

Some of us arrived to the Cape by 2:00ish and we wasted no time getting busy.  Renna and Rocco were all about the bikes and had total freedom to come and go.  Renna hit Bayside for a bit and we all spent some time at the tennis courts.  Kelly brought her famous candy salad.

Bob and Jules had been on the boat all day, but a small group gathered for pizza and birthday cake to celebrate our girl's BIG birthday a couple days early.  It was a sweet time of telling stories and each sharing a word we thought described her.

Monday, Aug. 12th

Renna and I spent some time at Bayside.  The boys got going getting the jet ski launched.

Then the party moved to the Clubhouse and the kids set up the badminton net they'd bought the previous evening on their obligatory vacation run to Walmart.

Nathanael and Tina arrived and we all enjoyed dinner on the deck and waited for Rambarose's who arrived shortly after.

We played an epic game of Celebrity and then loaded Jack Box.

We overflowed at the house with our configuration of people so the boys spent nights in the infamous Man Cave at Yia Yia's.

Tuesday, Aug. 13th

Slow mornings....

The girls set out for mani-pedi's.

I got the crew in motion and we moved to mini golf, which everyone had agreed would be a fun activity.  It was a sweet little spot and although there were a couple other families there, it almost felt like we had the place to ourselves.

Colombo had a horrible stiff neck, so he was our official scorekeeper.

Anything to make the shot!

The top 6 made it to the finals.  Was I proud of myself to be included?  Heck, yeah!

In the end, C4 came out on top, beating Nathanael by 1 stroke.

After mini golf, I offered to everyone that they could get coffee or ice cream.  Sadly, we are in a season that everyone all chose coffee!  

We wandered around Mashpee Commons.

Once home, the scramble began to execute the surprise Nathanael (with some help) was planning!  I'll post separately with all the details, but THIS happened Tuesday evening.

I didn't stay up, but I heard it got down to Rocco and Kelly and Rocco pulled the W.

Wednesday, Aug. 14th

The landscape is changing.  The night before was filled with excitement and anticipation.  It was also filled with the busy-ness of hosting and trying to make every detail just right.  It was filled with smiles and congratulatory hugs and so many photos!  Wednesday morning I went out to the garage to walk and workout early.  I sat on the steps to lace up my sneaks and I looked over to see Nathanael's big ole shoes sitting there and I just lost it!  All the emotions bubbled to the surface and a very familiar feeling of TIME, PLEASE SLOW DOWN! took me out for a few minutes.  Even when events and changes are good and happy, it's still change.  And that is hard.  And feelings are complicated.  I am thrilled for Nathanael and am 100% supportive, AND I miss my little guy.  The landscape of our family is changing.  The changes are coming in rapid succession and totally altering what was, for so long, me and my six little chicks in our cozy little nest together. As Dad always reminds me, "if it wasn't that way-if nothing ever changed, and if the kids didn't grow and move on, you would be sad." My mama heart had to process some things.  I recovered, and went on with my day.  

We did breakfast with Lisa and Shaun before they hit the road.  They helped with the Tuesday surprise (more in separate post).  Through all of the changing landscape, traditions, and shifts; through the highs and lows, their friendship has remained constant.  We have A LOT of history together and we are so grateful for their unwavering support, love, and wisdom.

After another slow morning, we mobilized and went to the pool at the Clubhouse and the kids took turns on the jet ski.

Nathanael gave rides all afternoon long, as the riders took turns.

After another deck dinner, we played a bunch of Jack Box games.

Then the ice cream fans hit up Smitty's.  I stayed home with the sleeping baby.

To Be Continued......